1 Year Later at the T-Rex Cafe

Monday Mitchell and I set out for KC to pick my parents up from the airport after almost an entire month of cruising and vacationing in Alaska.  We are all very glad to have them back home!!  Since their flight wasn't due until evening, we decided to make a day out of our two hour trip east.

After spending the day in Lawrence with my good friend Amy and her oldest son playing at the pool, I took Mitchell for a special treat...the T-Rex Cafe at the Legends!

While I'm not sure the food (and the elevated price tag that goes along with it) is worth it...Mitchell was very excited.  We took him there after his spinal tap almost exactly one year ago and this was the location where he started experiencing intense pain from the procedure so we had to cut our meal and visit short. 

What a difference a year makes!  Even though I was less than impressed with the food (and again, the price tag) seeing Mitchell experience the fun atmosphere still made it a great evening together.

The boys were also able to participate in vacation bible school this week and loved it!!! 

After yesterday's sweltering run I have now logged over 300 miles of running in 2012!  I think this picture of Collin below sums up how we all feel about the relentless heat right now.....

Running in the Kansas Heat

106.
That is today's projected high in Manhattan.  And what's tomorrow's high you ask?  107.  Yeah....

Needless to say the boys and I have spent lots of time at the pool in this heat!  But one thing is for sure, running in this heat and humidity takes on a life of it's own.

This year Chad and I will be running in Junction City again on the 4th of July doing the 5K race.  With highs similiar to the one's listed above and knowing what the heat index was when I ran outside this morning....I have no lofty ideas of obtaining a PR during this run. 

I continue to keep in mind that the summer heat and humidity means slower times/pace and that once the heat subsides and the humidity goes down, my legs will stop feeling like blocks of cement 1.5 miles into my run.  Training will start soon for my next half marathon and at the very least I will need to start increasing my distance for the upcoming Brew to Shoe in August.  The heat is on, but I am determined to keep running....even when it's 88 degrees at 8:45 a.m.

Another First

Even though we have lived in the Manhattan, KS area for nearly 9 years....we finally experienced our first Country Stampede on Friday night.  And as you might guess, the people watching was epic! :)

The weather was perfect and we were excited to see the Zac Brown Band in concert again as they are such a talented group. 

It was fun to spend an evening with a group from Chapman including the Ingram's.  I will miss my dear friend (and fellow counselor for the past 7 years) Shelly so much next school year!!!

120 Days

It's 120 days until the Waddell & Reed Half Marathon and to be honest, my weekly mileage has been pretty low.  But at least once a week Mitchell and I have been out on a bike/run.  He does great, and unlike last year where I would be pushing him up hills, he is now pushing me along.  This evening we did 3.5 miles around the neighborhood and as always, the conversation was hilarious.  We talked about serious things like when people are mean and how to handle it to zombies.  Like I said...it was a random conversation!

Soccer was an experience with Collin, but I am happy to report that he did make great progress! 

Collin still had his moments. Last night during some of the matches Collin chose to be a dinosaur instead of participating in one of the matches... but we are glad that Collin stuck with his micro soccer camp and I had fun playing in his last soccer scrimmage with him Wednesday night.

All in all.....we survived 4 and 5 year old  micro soccer camp and everyone still had a smile on their face!

North Bend

We celebrated our 11th anniversary this year in North Bend, NE at the Croghan Cabin.  Krista was having a party for her 40th birthday and we had a great day playing on the lake!

The boys love the water and they were even more excited to sleep in a tent with daddy for the first time.  We were wondering if one (or both) would end up on the floor in the cabin....but with a day full of swimming and excitement, they had a successful first camping experience.

Thanks to our good family friends the Croghan's for allowing us to spend the night with them in North Bend, NE and share in three special events.  Krista's BD celebration, our wedding anniversary and father's day.  It was a great weekend!

Our 11th Anniversary

11 years ago today, I married my best friend in Grand Island, NE.  Here's to our next adventures together!!!

Dirty

Just how dirty can two little boys get a baseball field?

 This was within the first 10 minutes of arrival at the ballpark last night!  I tried initially to keep him out of the dirt.  But really.... it was so dirty and dusty, the game hadn't even started and I knew I was fighting a losing battle.  So we went to the edge of the field where Collin could go wild and get dirty!

As you can see....EVERYONE was very dusty and dirty at the end of the game.  Mitchell had 3 great hits last night and the rain held off long enough for the Rockies to get their first win.

Chad's Half Ironman

Today my amazing husband conquered the 70.3 mile Half Ironman at Clinton Lake just outside of Lawrence, KS.  He did an absolutely amazing job and even though it was hot and windy....it was a great day!

We arrived at Clinton Lake about 5 a.m.  Chad's wave didn't start until 7:30 a.m.  This was the Swim to Bike transition area.  The bike to run transition was about a half mile walk up from the lake. 

The 1.2 mile swim took Chad about 41 minutes.

Chad coming out of the transition area into the 56 mile bike.  I didn't get any other pictures of him on his new and improved bike because of the course route and the fact that he whizzed by me before I could get my camera ready when he came into the bike to run transition.  The bike took him about 3 hours to complete.

Chad looked strong and continued doing well during the 13.1 mile run.  It was extremely hot and very windy, but his attitude was good and he felt and looked great for the run.  I was able to see him several times during the run and even cut around and ran/walked with him quite a bit toward the end.  It was very exciting and the atmosphere for the event was outstanding.

Finish Line!!!  His official time was 6 hours and 58 minutes.  70.3 miles in the heat of summer....I cannot begin to tell you how proud I am of my husband.  He was truly inspiring to watch.

Congratulations to our Half Ironman!!!  Even though we spent almost 12 hours at Clinton Lake and it was hot and windy....I had a great day also.  Following Chad was so fun and I was so proud to be there for this moment with him.  I was able to read quite a bit and got in my run and then some for the day following Chad around the course.  We also had a fun weekend together celebrating our 11th anniversary early while the boys are out of town with Grandma and Grandpa Bunger.  We had dinner out together a few times and went to the movies TWICE in less than 24 hours....this is unheard of.  We love our boys dearly, but the time together was wonderful as well.

Ready Position

Mitchell had his much anticipated first baseball game last night after his original first game was rained out on May 31st.  He was very excited!

Mitchell in the ready position....and yes, he did actually wear shoes to the game! :)

What a handsome little baseball player we have! :)  He was also very excited to try out the position of catcher....and for never wearing the gear of playing the position, he did very well!

He hit the ball on the first pitch both times and had a great time!  I am also happy to report that Collin had a much improved second night of soccer....not perfect, but he participated and he had fun. :)

I also added this picture from our picnic lunch and water time at the Flinthills Discovery Center.  They have an awesome outdoor area and the water fountains play to music.  It has made a great addition to Manhattan!

My heart is full of sadness as the Manhattan/Junction City area suffered a tremendous loss yesterday in the tragic plane crashing killing the Bramlage Family.  I had the honor of knowing the three oldest boys at JCMS and working with their wonderful, positive, genuine mother Becky as a parent and school board member/president.  This was truly an amazing family and our communities have suffered a huge loss.  My boys got extra hugs last night and my prayers and thoughts are with those family and friends this wonderful family of six has left behind.  If it is your belief, please say a word of prayer for the family members left behind to mourn the loss of the Bramlages as well as the countless friends also who grieve their loss.

Collin Gets His Turn

After many times of sitting on the sidelines watching his older brother....last night was finally Collin's turn!

And I really thought after all his protests to be part of the action at all of Mitchell soccer, baseball and basketball games that he would have been raring to go.  But as always, it is all about doing things on Collin's time and sometimes there is just no forcing the issue.

I have found that the more I push....the more "game on" Collin can be.  (I have no idea where he gets this from.)  So I just sat back and let the coaches try to work with him to get him on the field.

At one point, Collin had three separate teen coaches coaxing him on to the field.  No dice.  Then Coach Abdula was over encouraging Collin and it finally worked....sort of.

When he finally joined in with his team (again...sort of) Mitchell was sure to go out and tell him what an awesome job he did when it was all over. 

Who knows what is in store for us when we attempt this again on Wednesday.  The will of Collin is truly something to behold.  Honestly, I know these pictures and blog may make it seem like I thought this was cute...I can assure you it took all I had not to intervene last night.  But I know someday, Collin will call me, exasperated about one of his children....and I will then have photos and documentation to share with him about where this might have originated. :)